Four-time Academic All-Big 10 honoree and defensive tackle Will Heininger’s biggest battle was not waged in the classroom or on the football field.

“I had emotional pain that was overwhelming; I would wake up, and from morning until I feel asleep — when I was able sleep — I had troubling thoughts that were utterly consuming,” said the 2011 Michigan honors graduate. “Not a minute would go by in a day, without my depression on my mind … this, this felt impossible.”